Bike Engined Minis
Turbo Mini Forums

Edited by Rob H on 17th Dec, 2006.

You'll find the sierra has more links in the rear suspension than just a simple trailing arm - hence when you slam then the neggy camber is impressive! With a a conventional ride height in cornering you'll have the desired effects - ie camber gain and more than likely a little toe correction as well. Manufacturers spend massive amounts of money in developing suspension systems and bushes which can make "simple" suspension systems articulate to give some degree of camber gain. You'll see none of these with two bits of tube and rose joints at the end of them. A multi link rear set up is the only way to make a rear driven mini work for ride and handling.

If Carling made Mini engines
it would probably be like this one!

The Sierra is technically a semi- trailing arm with the arm neither perpendicular to the road or the centre line of the chassis.

I wouldn't say the Cossie had a great reputaion for corners ..... When I had my Scooby a guy who though he was the gods gift to driving managed to junk his escy cos into the same tree 3 times in as many months trying to prove it out handled a scooby .... prat .. scob wasn't even trying!!!

In theory semi-trailing arms can be made to work well, but only over a limited travel range.

The other thing to consider is the torque reactions from drive and braking which can have considerable effects on a semi trailing arm.

There is no real substitue for a unequal double wishbone suspension. The only reason we don't see it on everying is the space it takes up .... most manufactures will choose to go for a single lower link, a pair of trailing or leading links and a camber control link in preference to double wishbone as it gives a very similar level as convensional double wishbones but without intruding into the rear passenger space or boot areas much.

Suspension design is one of the many things that always will be a compromise but you have to get close or else you'll spend lots of time visiting the hedge.


What I don't understand is why most of the rear engine conversions don't use double wishbones ..... it's not like you can carry the shopping home in the back or take your mates to the pub ......

Edited by RogerM on 17th Dec, 2006.

Every day is a school day ...........

How fast and how expensive ...... the same question...

http://madmatt.bigblog.com.au/data/1/8412/...61219010234.jpg

one from a few months ago,,, it`s almost a complete car now tho,,, i`ll steal the digi cam from my girlfriend this weekend & get some more current pics.

http://madmatt.bigblog.com.au/data/1/8412/...61219010234.jpg

the steering rack, pedals & brakes are all on now , as is quite a bit more triangular bar work. still have to strip it all down, sandblast & paint it all yet, then stick all that alloy sheet cladding & stuff on to make it look a bit more proffesional (amazing how well dodgy back yard specials come up with a lick of paint & some shiny alloy panels hey??? )& then just have to whack it all back together agin. then the real fun begins, like adding the turbo etc

Edited by MadMatt on 18th Dec, 2006.

www.miniman.com.au

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